Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

US football cheerleaders sue over NFL pay, groping

Buffalo Bills' cheerleading has come to a halt amid legal action by five former members to sue the NFL team over low pay, groping and sexual comments.

Buffalo_Jills_140426_Getty.jpg
"Buffalo Jills" cheerleaders (Getty).

Activities of the Buffalo Bills' cheerleaders have been suspended after a move by five former members to sue the National Football League (NFL) team.

The ex-cheerleaders sued over low pay, groping and sexual comments, with one saying they had to take a "jiggle test" so their bosses could tell how firm their bodies were, The Buffalo News reported.

The head of the group that manages the Buffalo Jills, as they are called, said she can't comment on the suit which affects 35 women who were recently chosen for the team.

"I would like nothing more than to state our side of the story," Bills' cheerleader manager Stephanie Mateczun told the newspaper. "But it would be inappropriate to do so while in litigation."

The suit alleges the team failed to pay the former cheerleaders the $US8 ($A8.65) minimum wage and exposed them to degrading treatment at some community events like the Jills swimsuit calendar release party. They also allege they had to use their own money to pay for their $US650 ($A702) uniforms.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Sean Cooney, a lawyer representing the cheerleaders, said they were disappointed the club decided to suspend operations.

"Like the decision not to pay a lawful wage, this decision was made not by the cheerleaders, but the Jills' management," said Cooney.

The first Bills' home game of the 2014 season is slated for September 14.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world